|
Financial Support for Master's Students
Finances
Many students need financial help to complete a Master's Degree. We cannot guarantee that
every student who desires financial help will get it. However, there are many different
possibilities for Master's students to obtain financial help.
Teaching Assistantships
The Computer Science Department typically hires a number of Teaching Assistants (TAs) each semester.
TAs are used to teach the many different laboratories in the Computer Science undergraduate
curriculum and to help grade assignments in some of the larger classes. A laboratory teaching
position requires very good spoken English skills, whereas a grading position requires very good
written English skills. Since most teaching assistantships are awarded to students already in the
Master's program, there are just a few new positions open at the beginning of each academic year.
New applicants should indicate on their application whether they are seeking a teaching
assistantship. Current students who do not have financial support are encouraged to submit their
name to the departmental secretary,
Jeannette Radcliffe, to be placed on a
waiting list.
Research Assistantships
Research Assistants (RAs) work with faculty on a research projects and are paid from research funds
that the faculty have obtained. Since this funding varies from year to year depending on
how successful the faculty are in obtaining funding from granting agencies, the number of RAs also
varies from year to year. Students are selected by individual faculty members for RA
positions. Because of the nature of the research involved, a student is rarely offered a
research assistantship unless the faculty member knows the student (i.e., the student is already in
the program and is known to the instructor) or the student gets particularly good letters of
reference from known faculty at other institutions.
New applicants seeking a research assistantship should so indicate on their applications.
Faculty who are interested in a particular applicant for an RA position will make further inquiries
of the student and will likely ask for references. Current students should contact the faculty
members directly about becoming part of a research project.
Jobs
Depending on the state of the economy, there are many different part-time job opportunities for
Computer Science Master's students in Bozeman. Some local high-tech industries
occasionally hire software engineers on a part time basis. The University has a few positions
for assistants to work in campus computer laboratories. Ongoing research and development
projects on campus often advertise for programmers. The
Information Technology Center has
occasional needs for part time helpers who have technical computer skills. In short, a student
who is looking for such opportunities is likely to find one.
Scholarships and Fellowships
There are some opportunities for students to obtain a scholarship or fellowship. Many of these
require that students seek and apply for the scholarship or fellowship on their own initiative.
The Computer Science Department does not have local scholarships dedicated to Master's students.
Financial Aid
To explore the prospect of obtaining loans, visit the
Financial Aid Center at Montana State University.
|
